"I'm trying to help him, he's trying to help me," Middlebrooks said. "We're working together, we're having fun and we're competing. It's for the team, and I think it'll be good if we both push each other."

Middlebrooks hit .191 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 215 plate appearances for the Red Sox in 2014.

He is also okay if he ends up playing a different position down the line.

"Third base is the priority," he said, "but wherever I can get in the lineup, wherever I can help us win some baseball games, that's what's important for me."

Meanwhile, Solarte is doing what he can to help Middlebrooks adjust to his new surroundings.

"That's competing," Solarte said. "For me, it's my teammate. I want to work hard with him and make it fun, too."

Red Sox, Padres complete Hanigan-for-Middlebrooks trade

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/19/14) The Red Sox and Padres completed a trade Friday, with catcher Ryan Hanigan heading to Boston in exchange for third baseman Will Middlebrooks, the Red Sox announced.

Hanigan, 34, is signed for two more seasons with a team option for 2017. He hit .218/.318/.324 with five home runs and 34 RBI in 225 at-bats in 2014.

Middlebrooks, 26, is eligible for arbitration for the first time after the 2015 season. He hit .191/.256/.265 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 215 at-bats in 2014.

The deal will take care of one of the corner infield vacancies for the Padres. Middlebrooks has a career .237/.284/.411 slash line with 34 homers and 122 RBI over 830 at-bats through three seasons with the Red Sox. He has never played at Petco Field. Hanigan hit .218 with five home runs and 34 RBI over 225 at-bats last season with the Rays.

The Red Sox wanted Middlebrooks to make up for some of the at-bats he lost this season due to injury. However, Middlebrooks decided it was best for him to work on being 100 percent by spring training.

"He’s made a decision he’s going to focus on other things," general manager Ben Cherington said. "He feels like he can address what he needs to address without playing winter ball, so that’s the decision that he’s made. Ultimately, the offseason belongs to the players."

2014 Summary: For the second year in a row, Will Middlebrooks failed to live up to expectations set by a promising rookie season, and again, injuries played a role. Middlebrooks served DL stints with calf and finger injuries, and he missed the final six games of the season with a sprained hand. When he did play, Middlebrooks -- who is notorious for poor plate discipline -- struck out even more often than he did in his two previous seasons, and his power was almost completely absent. He hit just two home runs and 10 doubles in 215 at-bats, finishing with a .191 batting average. Middlebrooks will try for a fresh start with the Padres, who traded for him in December.

Playing time status: Middlebrooks will first have to fend off Yangervis Solarte for playing time at third base, and then he will likely need to improve at the plate and in the field to keep the starting role.

2015 Outlook: Middlebrooks has struggled to make contact and hit for average the last two seasons, but as recently as 2013, he showed he could hit for power. Perhaps with improved health, Middlebrooks can finally pick up where his 2012 season left off, which would make him relevant for standard mixed league owners. He's enough of a risk, both in terms of playing time and performance, that he is more of a deep league option for now.